CALGARY, AB--(Marketwired - May 04, 2017) - Governments across Canada fail to properly implement carbon-pricing schemes, which could, in theory, both reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the economy, finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian policy think-tank.
"Carbon-pricing in Canada doesn't work the way ivory tower economists envision, and instead has become just another tax," said Kenneth Green, Fraser Institute's senior director of energy and natural resource studies and author of Poor Implementation Undermines Carbon Tax Efficiency in Canada.
The governments of Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia have all implemented forms of carbon pricing (carbon taxes, cap-and-trade). And the federal government plans to set a carbon price "floor" -- a minimum value that each province must put on carbon emissions.
In theory, pricing carbon can reduce greenhouse gas emissions without unduly harming the economy. But according to the study, for carbon taxes and cap-and-trade systems to work as envisioned, three primary conditions must be met:
- the carbon-pricing system must replace, and not be in addition to, other emission regulations;
- it must be revenue neutral and used to reduce other more damaging taxes such as personal and corporate income tax;
- governments cannot subsidize substitutes for carbon-emitting activities such as solar and wind energy projects.
Unfortunately, carbon taxes and cap-and-trade systems across Canada don't meet these conditions.
For example, Alberta's carbon tax, and the cap-and-trade systems in Ontario and Quebec increase government revenue (so these schemes are not revenue neutral). Moreover, these systems have been layered on top of existing regulations. And all three governments subsidize alternative energy sources.
Even in B.C., where the carbon tax is again revenue neutral after years of being a net revenue source for the provincial government, myriad emission regulations -- fuel economy standards, appliance efficiency standards, green building standards -- remain in place.
"True carbon-pricing relies on markets -- not governments -- to identify the best way to manage emissions," Green said.
"As governments in Canada and beyond increasingly tout the benefits of carbon pricing, it is imperative that we understand the practical realities of such systems instead of just discussing the theoretical possibilities."
MEDIA CONTACT:
Kenneth Green, Senior Director, Natural Resource Studies
Fraser Institute
To arrange media interviews or for more information, please contact:
Bryn Weese, Media Relations Specialist, Fraser Institute
Tel: (604) 688-0221 ext. 589
E-mail: bryn.weese@fraserinstitute.org
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The Fraser Institute is an independent Canadian public policy research and educational organization with offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal and ties to a global network of think-tanks in 87 countries. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for Canadians, their families and future generations by studying, measuring and broadly communicating the effects of government policies, entrepreneurship and choice on their well-being. To protect the Institute's independence, it does not accept grants from governments or contracts for research. Visit www.fraserinstitute.org
Contact Information:
To arrange media interviews or for more information, please contact:
Bryn Weese
Media Relations Specialist
Fraser Institute
Tel: (604) 688-0221 ext. 589
E-mail: bryn.weese@fraserinstitute.org